Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush is fairly widespread in Guangdong, with records in the north of the province and along the West River and East River, including near Guangzhou and at Nan Kun Shan (c 150 km N of HK). The peak count is 40 at Nan Kun Shan. It is not as vocal as Greater Necklaced and hence is easily overlooked. So, while it is not as common or widespread as Greater Necklaced, it is far from being a rare species in Guangdong.
Looking at a relief map of Guangdong, the southernmost range of hills which reach the edge of the Pearl River Delta is the Lianhua Shan, with a highest elevation of 1336 metres only about 70 km northeast of Sha Tau Kok. The hills then continue as the Hai'an Shan to extend east to Daya Bay, with a further outcrops on the edge of Mirs Bay. To my knowledge, except for Wutong Shan in Shenzhen, these hills have not been surveyed for birds. They certainly seem to be a potential route by which normally sedentary species in east Guangdong might reach the New Territories.
Given the above, I would not rule out the possibility that both Greater and Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes could reach HK unaided.
Richard
